Sonia Faleiro

Sonia Faleiro, a nonfiction journalist and author of The Robe and the Sword, dives deep into the alarming rise of Buddhist extremism across South and Southeast Asia. She recounts how Buddhist teachings are twisted into justifications for violence, with militants like Sri Lanka’s Gnanasara and Myanmar’s Wirathu at the forefront. Faleiro also reveals the impact of colonial legacies on communal tensions, discusses the political entanglements of monks, and highlights the efforts of reformist monks resisting extremism, painting a complex picture of faith under fire.

Sonia Faleiro, an acclaimed nonfiction journalist, discusses her groundbreaking work on the rise of Buddhist extremism in modern Asia. She highlights how radical monks have weaponized spirituality, transforming peaceful traditions into tools of terror. Faleiro connects colonial legacies, ethnic tensions, and political alliances to the current violence. She also sheds light on the role of transnational networks, the targeting of Muslims, and the brave efforts of dissident monks resisting extremism. Her insights are crucial for understanding this troubling trend.